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Crisp wins AL Player of Week

Crisp wins AL Player of Week

Cleveland owes its 7-0 record last week in large part to the exploits of outfielder Coco Crisp, who banged out 16 hits, scored eight runs and drove in seven during the week.

For his efforts, Crisp was voted American League Player of the Week for Sept. 5-11. Crisp finished the week with three home runs and a Major League-best 29 total bases, slugging 1.036 in the process.

"He's a clutch player who plays with no fear," manager Eric Wedge said of his No. 2 hitter, who scored 77 runs, hit 38 doubles and 13 homers and driven in 67 runs this year while stealing 15 bases.

Crisp started the week with two hits Monday and broke a scoreless tie Tuesday with a two-run homer, finishing with three hits. Wednesday witnessed another two-hit game and Thursday he led the Indians to a four-game sweep of the Tigers by hitting a solo homer that gave Cleveland an insurance run in its 4-2 victory.

On Friday, Crisp had two hits and scored two of the Tribe's four runs in a 4-2 win over the Twins. The next day, Crisp drilled a solo homer and finished with two hits and two RBIs. The hit parade went out with a bang Sunday, as Crisp finished 4-for-5 with two doubles, two runs and one RBI.

Crisp raised his average 13 points during the week (from .293 to .306), a tough feat so late in the season. Even so, the switch-hitter tried not to notice.

"I don't worry about that," he said. "I try not to even look up there to see my average."

It's the first career Player of the Week award for Crisp, who is the third Indian to win the award this year (Travis Hafner, July 11, and Victor Martinez, Aug. 29).

Other players considered for the weekly award were Tampa Bay's Carl Crawford (.440, six runs, four steals); Seattle's Richie Sexson (.450, two homers, six RBIs); New York's Jason Giambi (.391, three homers, six RBIs); and two more Indians: Scott Elarton (2-0, 1.26 ERA in 14 1/3 innings) and Cliff Lee (2-0, 1.29 ERA in 14 innings).

As part of the award, presenting sponsor Bank of America will donate $1,000 to the Little League Urban Initiative on behalf of Crisp. In addition, Crisp will receive a Tourneau luxury Swiss watch to commemorate his accomplishment.

Mark Thoma is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.